Event recognizing PHL TCB Cleaning Ambassadors and program partners to be held Friday, April 22.​

PHILADELPHIA – On Thursday, April 14, the Department of Commerce released a report prepared by the policy research firm Econsult Solutions sharing the 2021 impact of the PHL Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program (PHL TCB). TCB funds 39 organizations based in the community to remove litter, and address trash dumping on 85 commercial corridors citywide. TCB cleaning is carried out by small crews of uniformed Cleaning Ambassadors deployed along scheduled cleaning routes.

“The Philadelphia Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program promotes the economic success of our neighborhood corridors while creating a more inviting environment for shoppers and residents,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “The report’s findings show a positive impact on neighborhood businesses, while also offering new employment opportunities for Philadelphians and local minority- and women-owned businesses.”  Key findings from the report include:

Cleanliness

  • 170,258 bags of trash were removed from TCB corridors by TCB crews. This equals 14,188 dumpsters and averages 652 bags collected citywide on a typical cleaning day. 
  • 62 percent of TCB Cleaning Areas had manageable amounts of litter with average scores of 1-2 on a 4-point Litter Index.

Impact on Neighborhood Businesses

  • 95 percent of business owners who were surveyed in TCB cleaning areas believe TCB has been effective.
  • 91 percent of shoppers say that they visit commercial corridors more if kept clean.

Workforce Impacts

  • 200 TCB Cleaning Ambassadors are employed in the program, each earning the minimum program wage of $15 an hour or more.
  • More than half of TCB Cleaning Ambassadors are estimated to be returning citizens based on a survey of TCB’s three largest provider organizations.

Impact on Cleaning Companies

  • TCB enabled four Philadelphia-based, for-profit, minority-owned cleaning companies to grow their businesses, with City contracts among the four companies increasing from $221,000 in 2020 to $1.74 million in 2021. 

“The Philadelphia Taking Care of Business Clean Corridors Program is a critical investment in Philadelphia’s neighborhood commercial corridors,” said Commerce Director Anne Nadol. “As our city recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, this program ensures that neighborhood corridors are clean, attractive places for businesses and for shoppers. The visible presence of these workers demonstrates the City’s commitment to neighborhood business areas.”The funding for TCB was allocated by City Council in the City’s annual budget and spearheaded by Councilmember Cherelle Parker, who first proposed PHL TCB in September 2019.“Our neighborhood business districts are gateways of opportunity for small business owners across the city, and they deserve the level of investment afforded through the PHL Taking Care of Business program,” said Councilmember Cherelle Parker. “But we aren’t just taking care of businesses, we are taking care of the business of making an equitable investment in the people who live in the communities served by this program. The expansion of this corridor cleaning initiative gives us the opportunity to offer a living wage of $15 per hour and job development training to more than 200 Cleaning Ambassadors, as well as create real opportunities for minority cleaning companies to increase their capacity. Through PHL TCB, we are taking care of the business of creating tangible access to employment, growth, and a cleaner Philadelphia.”“We are honored to be partners with TCB and the Department of Commerce and humbled to receive additional funding to continue cleaning the Broad, Germantown and Erie commercial corridor,” said Corridor Manager for Called to Serve Community Development Corporation Amelia Price. “We have expanded from a crew of two to eight dedicated cleaning ambassadors and increased from three days per week to cleaning every day. Our community has faced many challenges with trash. Businesses and neighbors in the community constantly express their appreciation for our team’s work and it is inspiring to hear them  responding to our work. They genuinely care for this community and want to work and live in a clean and healthy environment. All but one of our cleaning ambassadors are individuals who have been previously incarcerated. However, their work ethic is a testament to other returning citizens, that with consistent dedication, you can have a second chance in life and be a productive citizen, your past does not define you.” The Streets Department supports the program by providing dedicated crews that assist PHL TCB organizations with the removal of bags of litter that is collected. Streets Department SWEEP officers also work to educate businesses about their responsibility to sweep their sidewalks and put trash out correctly.To celebrate TCB’s impressive achievements, Mayor Kenney and other elected officials will gather to thank all 200 Cleaning Ambassadors at a TCB Pep Rally scheduled this Friday, April 22, from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. at MLK Recreation Center, 2101 Cecil B. Moore Avenue in Philadelphia. This event is open to press, please email Denis Murphy at Denis.Murphy@phila.gov to RSVP. Images for press can be downloaded online from this folder. More information about the program and the impact report is available online.

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